Looking for info on 1906 murder in Sioux Falls (Parkston: crime, attorney)

[aeropaint]

I was wondering if anyone here knows of the strange death of Agnes Polrels on June 1 1906. As far as I can find out on the net, she was working for Mr. Moses and Emma Kaufmann.

Mrs. Kaufmann was tried twice for the death-once on a charge of manslaughter in the first degree. She was found guilty, and appealed on grounds that she did not get a fair trail bases on publicity. The second trail was in Flandreu-she was found guilty of assault and battery and got 50 days in jail and a $100 fine. Emma Kaufmann died on November 18, 1913 in Sioux Falls.

And that is about all I can find on this. This was called the 'Trial of the Century' at the time, the headlines went to each coast.

Can anyone fill in the gaps?

[sdgoldpanner]

From the information I have access to:

Agnes Polreis was a servant of Mrs. Emma Kaufmann. Mrs. Kaufmann, a millionaire, and wife of a prominent brewer in Sioux Falls, was charged with torturing to death Agnes Polreis, age 16, while in the employment of the Kaufmann’s.

Mrs. Kaufmann was bound over to Circuit Court without bail. As Mrs. Kaufmann was being escorted out of the courtroom, much of the crowd was shouting “Hang Her”! There were hundreds of women that threatened to lynch her for her dirty deed.

Horrible tales of cruelty at the hands of Mrs. Kaufmann was revealed from the witness stand.

Agnes died under mysterious circumstances, and the case became known as the Kaufmann House Mystery.

When friends of Agnes, at her funeral in Parkston, SD, observed suspicious marks on her body, they became enraged. As a result, her body was exhumed for an autopsy. After the examination, Emma Koffmann was arrested for suspicion of murder.

The courts found her guilty of manslaughter.

She was retried as a result of misconduct by the prosecuting attorney during the first trial. Her second trial found her guilty of assault and battery and she was fined $100.

Some punishment, eh?

Hope this information helps.

Bob

[HappyNCGirl]

you might also go to Crime Library: crime stories on serial killers, the mafia, terrorists, spies, assassins and gangsters and see if you find more info.

[Jammie]

The Daily Republic

Aeropaint, as I was reading yesterday's paper, I remembered your question. Check out the link above and do a search for the info you're looking for. There's a news story about this in Thursday's paper. A gentleman who came from Parkston and now lives in Ga. has written a book about it. The story tells the man's name and the name of the book and I'm sure you'll be able to find some info out there. I checked to be sure that you still stop in and read and was glad to see you're still around. Please let me know if you've read this post.

[MJ1986]

wow, some murder mystery! It reminds me of the murder of Judge Amidon and his son in 1862. They never found their remains.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by mjgustafson

wow, some murder mystery! It reminds me of the murder of Judge Amidon and his son in 1862. They never found their remains.

Where did that happen?

OOOPS, I guess the OP may not get this info unless we email it to her. Her last visit was May, 2006. You know how it goes as we age, sixes look like eights, etc.

[MJ1986]

He and his son were out plowing a field...just east of the State Penitentiary and directly north of the John Morrell Plant. A group of Sioux warriors attacked them. The judge was shot to death and his son was shot with over a dozen arrows.
They were believed to be buried where they fell. In the early 90's, an archaeological group from Augustana excavated the burial mounds, but couldn't find anything. So, nobody really knows where they are buried.
Theres a really tall monument on North Drive on that bluff north of John Morrells. Theres always been talked that the area is haunted.